Covering UC's Abernathy will be like 'herdin' cats'

University of Cincinnati wide receiver Ralph David Abernathy runs the ball during the year's first football practice held at Higher Ground in West Harrison, Indiana Monday.(Photo: The Enquirer/Gary Landers)Buy Photo

WEST HARRISON, Ind. -- Coach T had already ''gone there,'' when running back Ralph David Abernathy IV approached him in the offseason about moving to the slot-receiver spot.

''He (University of Cincinnati head coach Tommy Tuberville) said, 'We've already been talking about it,' '' recalled Abernathy. ''I was glad to hear that. It means it (the move) is good for the team, as well as good for me.''

Yes, indeed, it is good news for the Bearcats, because it means getting senior Abernathy a head-start into the secondary where he's always done most of his damage as running back.

''We'll be able to take advantage of getting him out in space -- see if a linebacker can cover him, or see if they (the opponent) are going to substitute and put a nickel guy on top of him -- and there'll be other times when we move him into the backfield,'' said Tuberville, following Thursday's afternoon practice at Higher Ground.

''We're going to do some speed sweeps, as we do with Shaq (junior receiver Shaq Washington).''

Abernathy's thinking was that he'll have a shot at the next level as a slot receiver. He's not big – 5-foot-7 and 175 pounds (that's 14 pounds of muscle he's added since last year) – but is extremely elusive.

Some of the pros who Abernathy embraces as role models are receivers Tavon Austin (5-8, 176 pounds) of the St. Louis Rams and Wes Welker (5-9, 180) of the Denver Broncos, and running backs Darren Sproles (5-6, 190) of the Philadelphia Eagles and Dexter McCluster (5-8, 170) of the Tennessee Titans.

''Tavon Austin is the one who caught my eye the most – just watching him in his college career (at West Virginia) and even as a pro, he did some amazing things (40 catches for 418 yards, 4 touchdowns; longest, an 81-yarder, and nine rushes for 151 yards and a TD of 65 yards),'' Abernathy said.

Tuberville especially likes the idea of lining up Washington, 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, on one side, and Abernathy on the other, just to see what the defense does. They can't both be double-covered.

''Both of 'em have the quickness that one guy can't cover,'' said Tuberville, adding, ''it'll be like herdin' cats -- and you can use that quote.''

On it like a cat-herder, Coach.

Abernathy loves playing offense for Tuberville.

''He's not afraid to go for it on fourth down,'' said the Atlanta native. ''He rolls the dice out there. He has confidence in us as players, and that give us confidence in ourselves.''

As a sophomore, Abernathy averaged 5.3 yards as per carry as UC's No. 2 running back. Last year, he was second again in rushing yards (518 on 132 attempts with five touchdowns, averaging 3.9 yards per carry).

Abernathy reminds me of former UC receiver LaDaris Vann, who at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds was Mr. Elusive for the Bearcats in the early 2000s. Quarterback Deontey Kenner, and later, Gino Guidugli, loved throwing to him. I covered those teams, and I remember Vann as quicksilver once he got into the opponent's secondary. He put the shake in shake 'n bake.

''I played some slot in high school,'' explained Abernathy, ''but I was primarily a running back, which is what I was recruited to play here. But the first week I got here, they moved me to receiver. Then, we had some injuries at running back, and they moved me to running back.''

He said the thing he has noticed about playing slot receiver on the college level is that the windows in the secondary close a lot quicker. He's been talking to the rest of the UC's talented receiving corps about route-running, and said he has picked up a lot.

''They've been great for me, because I can pick their brains,'' Abernathy said. ''It's also great because we know we've got three quarterbacks who can get us the ball. They all bring a different dimension.''

It was interesting watching UC practice Thursday. There's a long and short to it: particularly 5-7 Abernathy and 6-6 Mekale McKay.

''It's always great to get 2's perspective,'' said Abernathy, who wears No. 1 and refers to McKay by his number, No. 2. ''I look at him as a great route-runner. I definitely wish I had his height.''

No. 2 made a nice catch toward the end of practice, reaching up to about nine feet with his wingspan to haul one in over the middle. Then again, No. 2 would probably love some of No. 1's darting ability.

Abernathy had a good laugh when I asked him why sprinting times are always recorded for straight lines of 40, 60 and 100 yards. Why not set up slalom-type obstacles over 40, 60 and 100 yards and record those times? After all, football isn't a straight-line game.

When I suggested to No. 1 that he'd win some of those ''zig-zag races,'' Abernathy said, grinning, ''Yeah, I'd probably win the majority of them.''

''Football is how quick you can get from Point A to Point B, laterally,'' he said. ''I'm really good at that. Shaq Washington is really good at it, too. Being able to get in and out of breaks and our routes fast, that's something we work on as receivers, especially as slot receivers.''